It was appealing, a small village with vines intertwining up the castle walls and around the door frames. The door was wedged open and without really questioning it, Gabby entered, her heart pounding with excitement. The castle had everything you may need: a welcoming, warm sitting area with a sofa and a crackling fire burning brightly; a huge kitchen with old china cups and plates and an old fryer; a table that was layed for two with a teapot boiling; and a plate of pancakes and syrup ready to be eaten. 

“Hello,” called Gabby, wondering if she was alone. She was met by the familiar sound of silence. Gabby made her way to the stairs, cautiously looking at her surroundings. Almost tripping over a loose floorboard, she made her way to the top. All she could see was a darkened hallway. There was no one to be found in either bedroom though the beds were made with funky patterns and colour, with soft pillows layed carefully on the beds. 

Gabby had drawn onto her sketch a wish and it didn’t seem likely that her wish was going to come true. There were no signs anyone lived there. She had never met her mother before but she was sure her mother wasn’t there. It didn’t seem correct. Then that was when Gabby heard it. 

Something down the stairs; something that she could hear moving around and it wasn’t exactly using footsteps. It was a strange **************** sound as it moved around from room to room. She stared down the stairs, the hair on her arms standing on edge as she descended step-by-step, not making a sound. Crash! Something fell to the ground. She paused for a second before moving to peer round the into the kitchen. Everything was silent. Only the steam from the teapot drifted through the air. 

A moment later, Gabby heard the sound again. Spinning round, she kicked the sitting area door open. It was then that she saw it: a dark hooded figure heaved towards her; magenta like eyes bulged out from the darkness; and razor sharp claws scraped the ground like chalk on a chalkboard. There was no pause to think this time. Gabby squeezed through the door and as fat as her little legs could take her; she sprinted back up the pathway, through the village and forest towards where the door had been. 

But there was nothing there. No door, no nothing. All there was, was endless forest stretched out for as far as the eye could see. Gabby was stranded with no phone, no one to help her get out of this mess. Darkened silhouettes moved without meaning towards her. “Come back,” hissed a voice from behind where Gabby was standing…

by Eve-SJC6